Knockdown cabinet construction



3 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR.

MICHAEL J. LEVY ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1968 M.J. LEVY KNOCKDOWN CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 12, 1966 5 i: O o

Dec. 10, 1968 M.J. LEVY KNOCKDOWN CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed s t. 12, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. MICHAEL J.

LEVY

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,415,534 KNOCKDOWN CABINET CONSTRUCTION Michael J. Levy, Bay Shore, N.Y., assignor to Combined Industries Inc., Far Rockaway, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 578,765 6 Claims. (Cl. 312257) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to cabinet constructions cabinet construction having a pair of upper and lower bands, each of said bands having internal extensions folded to define upwardly and downwardly facing grooves, a bottom wall engageable in the grooves of the lower band and a top wall engageable in the grooves of the upper band, and front, back and side walls engageable in the grooves of both of said bands to define a cabinet.

This invention relates generally to cabinet constructions and the like, and is especially concerned with unique improvements in sheet-metal cabinet constructions.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a sheet-metal cabinet construction which may be economically stored and shipped in a knocked-down condition, and which may be assembled or erected by unskilled persons in a simple and efiicient manner without the need for welding or other permanent fastening.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a cabinet comprising a pair of framing members which will serve as the basis of support and connection for the top, bottom, back, front and side walls of a cabinet, and be so constructed as to be easily assembled and disassembled for ease in shipment and to provide versatility in assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique and highly improved knockdown cabinet construction wherein a novel sub-assembly thereof may be employed as a shelf, either for use in conjunction with or separately from the cabinet construction.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved cabinet construction of the knockdown type for convenience and economy in storage and shipment, and wherein components thereof may be selected of different colors to afford a wide variety of color combinations, as desired by the consumer.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet construction of the type described which is capable of modular stacking and a wide variety of add-on arrangements, as desired.

The instant invention further contemplates the provision of a unique cabinet construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which may be fabricated of sheet metal without the need for welds, to greatly enhance the appearance, effect considerable savings in costs, and permit the use of materials not heretofore acceptable in similar cabinet structures.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cabinet construction of the type described which is extremely simple in design, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured and distributed, for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be in dicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial front perspective view showing an arrangement of cabinet-and-shelf construction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view showing a cabinet of the present invention in exploded condition for clarity of understanding.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional. view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, one cabinet-and-shelf arrangement is illustrated therein for use in a bathroom, wherein a pair of laterally spaced upstanding poles or posts 10 are mounted on opposite sides of a water closet 11. The poles 10 may extend vertically between the floor 12 and ceiling 13 of the room, being fric-tionally or otherwise secured thereto. A lower shelf 14 is illustrated in position spaced over the water closet 11 extending between and having its opposite sides detachably fixed to respective poles or posts 10, as by U-clamps 15. A cabinet 16 is illustrated in position spaced over the shelf 14, extending laterally between the poles 10 and fixed to respective poles by a pair of U-clamps 17. Spaced over the cabinet 16 may be an additional shelf 18 extending between and having its opposite sides fixed by U-clamps 19 to respective poles 10.

The cabinet 16 is best seen in FIGURES 2-5, and referring specifically to FIGURE 2, the cabinet is shown as including a pair of generally horizontally disposed, vertically spaced lower and upper bands and 26. The bands 25 and 26 may be substantially identical, each being integrally formed of sheet metal or other suitable material. In particular, the lower band 25 includes a laterally extending front portion 27, and a pair of side portions 28 extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the front portion 27. The front lower band portion 27 may have its opposite ends smoothly curved, as at 29 for rearward extension and mergence with the side portions 28. At the rear end of each side portion 28 there is provided an integral laterally inwardly extending rear portion or tab 30. Opposite rear portions 30 extend laterally inward toward and terminate short of each other.

Provided on the inner side of front lower band portion 27 is an internal extension 31, while one or more internal extensions 32 are provided on the inside of the side portions 28, and an internal extension 33 is provided on the inside of each rear portion 30. More particularly, the internal extension 31 of lower band front portion 27 includes an intermediate section 35, see FIGURE 3, extending upward from the lower edge of the front portion 27 spaced inward therefrom, and an inner section 36 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the intermediate section spaced inward from the latter. Thus, the internal extension 31 on the lower front portion 27 is folded or bent to define an upwardly facing groove 37 between the front portion and intermediate section 35, and a downwardly facing groove 38 between the intermediate section 35 and inner section 36. The internal extensions 32 on the side portions 28 are similarly folded or bent to include an intermediate section 40, see FIGURE 5, extending upwardly from the lower edge of the adjacent side portion 28, spaced inwardly thereform, and an inner section 41 depending from the upper edge of the intermediate section 40 spaced inward from the latter. The internal extensions 32 are thus folded or bent to define an upwardly facing groove 42 between the adjacent side portion 28 and each intermediate section 40, and a downwardly facing groove 43 between each intermediate section and the adjacent inner section 41.

The internal extensions 33 on the rear portions 30 are similarly folded or bent to include an intermediate section 45 extending upwardly from the lower edge of the adjacent rear portion and spaced inwardly therefrom to form an upwardly facing groove, and an inner section 46 depending from the upper edge of the intermediate section 45 and spaced inwardly therefrom to define a downwardly facing groove.

A lower rear sheet 48 extends between the lower rear portions 30, having its lower edge engaged in the upwardly facing grooves of the internal extensions 33. The rear strip 48 may be formed along its upper edge with a rearwardly and downwardly bent lip 49 for engagement over the upper edges of rear portions 30. Also, an internal extension 50 may be provided on the lower rear strip 48 including an intermediate section 51 extending upward from the lower edge of the rear strip and spaced inward therefrom to form an upwardly facing groove 52. An inner section 53 may extend downward from the upper edge of the intermediate section 51, being spaced inward therefrom and combining therewith to define a downwardly facing groove 54.

A generally horizontally disposed, substantially flat hottom wall 55 may extend across the space within the lower band 25. That is, the bottom wall 55 is conformably received within the band 25 and rear strip 48. Along its front edge the bottom wall 25 may be formed with a depending lip or flange 56 engaged in the upwardly facing groove 37 of the internal extension 31. At opposide side edges of the bottom wall 55 there may be provided depending side flanges 57 each respectively engaged in an upwardly facing groove 42 of the adjacent internal extension 32. Also, there may be provided a depending flange or lip 58 along the rear edge of the bottom wall 55 engaged in the upwardly facing grooves of internal rear portion extensions 33 and internal rear strip extension 50.

If desired, the side portions 28 may be apertured, as at 60, and the adjacent side flanges 57 of the bottom wall apertured, as at 61 in registry with the apertures 60. Through the registering apertures may be extended suitable fastening means, as desired. In this manner the band 25, rear strip 48 and wall 55 may be secured together to define a rigid sub-assembly, adapted to serve as a shelf 14 or 18 of FIGURE 1. This sub-assembly also defines the bottom or lower portion of cabinet 16, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

A pair of laterally spaced, upstanding side walls are designated 63, each having its lower edge portion 64 engaged in the upwardly facing groove 42 of the adjacent side portion internal extension 32. The side walls 63 may each be formed along its rear edge with an inturned flange or lip 65, and may be formed at its forward region with an arcuately curved laterally inwardly extending portion 66 extending partially along the front portion 27 and having its lower edge portion 67 engaged in the upwardly facing groove 37 of internal extension 31. Each forward extention 66 is provided on its inner edge with a rearwardly projecting abutment panel 66 upstanding over the bottom wall 55, for a purpose appearing presently.

A rear wall 68 may have its lower edge portion 69 engaged in the upwardly facing groove 52 of rear strip internal extension 50, and upstand therefrom between the side walls 63, vertically coextensive therewith.

The upper band 26 may be identical to the lower band 25, including a front portion 70 and a pair of side portions 71 extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the front portion. Rear portions 72 extend inwardly from rear ends of the side portions 71. The front portion 70 is provided with an internal extension 73, which may be identical to the internal extension 31, folded or bent to define upwardly and downwardly facing grooves. Similarly, the side portions 71 may be provided with intern extensions 74, and the rear portion 72 provided with internal extensions 75, which may all be folded or bent to form upwardly and downwardly facing grooves in the same manner as internal extensions 32 and 33. A rear strip 76 may be identical to the rear strip 48 and extend between rear portions 72, being provided with an internal extension 77 which may be identical to the internal extension 58 of the rear strip 48. A downturned upper edge lip 78 may be provided on the rear strip 76 in the same manner as the lip 49 of the lower rear strip 48.

In assembly, the rear strip 76 has its lower edges engaging in the upwardly facing grooves of internal extensions 75, and the downturned lip 78 engaging over and rearwardly behind the rear portion 72.

A generally horizontal upper wall 88 may be substantially identical to the lower wall 55, extending conformably across the space bounded within the upper band 26. Along the front edge of the upper wall 80 may be formed a depending flange 81 engaging in the upwardly facing groove of internal extension 73 of front portion 70; and, depending side flanges 82 at opposite sides of the top wall 80 may engage in the upwardly facing grooves of internal extensions 74 on the side portions 71. The top wall side flanges 82 may be formed with fastener-receiving openings 83, as may the side portions 7.1 be formed with fastener-receiving openings 84 for registry with the openings 83, in the same manner as the previously described openings 60 and 61.

Along the rear edge of the top wall 80 there may be provided a depending flange 84 engaging in the upwardly facing groove of internal extension 77 of the rear strip 76, and the upwardly facing grooves of internal extensions on the rear portions 72.

It will be appreciated, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, that the top wall is spaced below the upper edges of the band 26 and rear strip 76, the latter thereby defining retaining means about the top wall 80.

The upper band 26 and upper rear strip 76 are assembled with the side walls 63 and rear wall 68 by engagement of the upper edges of the side walls in the downwardly facing grooves of internal extensions 74 on the side portions 71. The upper edges of the forwardly extending side wall portions 66 may engage in the end portions of the downwardly facing groove of internal extension 73. Also, the upper edge of rear wall 68 engages in the downwardly facing groove of internal extension 77 on the rear strip 76.

In this condition, the structure may be secured between poles 10 by the extension of U-shaped members 17 about the poles and through aligned openings 83 and 84, and 60 and 61, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Openable closure means is advantageously provided in the form of a pair of sliding closure panels or doors 86 and 87. Toward this end is provided an upper track 88 along the upper front portion 70 beneath the top Wall 80, and a lower track 89 along the lower front portion 27 on the bottom wall 55.

The upper track 88 may be fabricated of sheet stock bent in a double channel formation, to define a pair of front and rear downwardly facing grooves or channels 90 and 91. The front channel 90 includes a depending side or flange 92 which engages in the upwardly facing groove of internal extension 73 on the front upper band portion 70. By this interengagement the upper track 88 is maintained in its position along the upper front portion 70 beneath the top wall 80.

The lower track 89 may be bent or rolled to form a pair of forward and rearward transversely rounded ribs or crests 94 and 95, the depressed material therebetween defining an upwardly facing groove or channel 96. Along the forward edge of the lower track 89 is a depending lip or flange 97 engaged in the upwardly facing groove 37 of internal extension 31 on the lower band front portion 27. The lower track 89 is thus maintained in position on the bottom wall 55. The rearward edge portion 97 of the lower track 89 declines obliquely rearwardly to the bottom wall 55, providing an incline for insertion of the doors 86 and 87. That is, the forward door 86 may initially have its upper edge engaged in the channel 91 with its lower edge rearward of the lower track 89, and the lower edge moved forwardly along the inclined rear lower track portion 97 for engagement in the channel or groove 96. The rearward door 87 is similarly manipulated for engagement of its upper edge in the channel 91 and lower edge in the channel 96. The doors 86 and 87 are thus mounted for sliding movement along the tracks 88 and 89 between a closed position illustrated in the drawings, and an open position with one door moved substantially completely overlapping the other.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that the instant cabinet construction may be quickly and easily set up without the need for special tools or skill; that the upper and lower sub-assemblies thereof may be employed independently as shelves, if desired; and, that the cabinet construction may be disassembled or knocked down with equal facility, if desired.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A knockdown cabinet construction comprising a pair of upper and lower bands each having a front portion, a side portion extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said front portion, and a pair of rear portions extending inwardly from the rear ends of said side portions and terminating short of each other; internal extensions on said front, side and rear portions folded to define upwardly and downwardly facing grooves on said front, side and rear portions; a pair of upper and lower rear strips respectively extending between and engaged in the upwardly facing grooves of said upper and lower rear portions; an internal extension on each rear strip folded to define upwardly and downwardly facing grooves on said rear strips; a pair of top and bottom walls respectively extending across the spaces within said upper and lower bands; depending flanges on said top and bottom generally horizontal Walls engaging in the upwardly facing grooves of said front, side and rear portions, and of said rear strips; a pair of upstanding side walls extending between each adjacent pair of upper and lower side portions; said side walls each having its lower edge engaged in the upwardly facing groove of the adjacent lower side portions and its upper edge engaged in the downwardly facing groove of the adjacent upper side portion; and an upstanding rear wall extending between said rear portions having its lower edge engaged in the upwardly facing groove of said lower rear strip having its upper edge engaged in the downwardly facing groove of the upper rear strip; in combination with a downwardly facing upper track extending along said upper front portion beneath said top wall; a depending uppertrack lip along the front of said upper track engaged in the upwardly facing groove of said upper front portion; an upwardly facing lower track extending along said front lower portion on said bottom wall; depending lowertrack lip along the front of said lower track engaged in the upwardly facing groove of said lower front portion; and upstanding closure means extending between and slidably engaged in said upper and lower tracks.

2. A knockdown cabinet construction according to claim 1, said internal extensions each comprising an intermediate section extending upwardly from the lower edge of the respective portion and strip, and an inner section depending from the upper edge of the adjacent in termediate section.

3. A knockdown cabinet construction according to claim 1, in combination with fastener means securing said top and bottom horizontal walls to the adjacent upper and lower side portions, whereby each of said bands, the associated rear strip and horizontal wall define a rigid sub-assembly.

4. A knockdown cabinet construction according to claim 1, said lower track having its rear edge portion declining to said bottom wall, for sliding engagement thereover of said closure means.

5. A knockdown cabinet construction according to claim 1, said closure meanscomprising a pair of generally flat sliding doors.

6. A knockdown cabinet construction according to claim 1, in combination with a forward extension on each of said side walls extending inwardly along said front portions and terminating adjacent to the ends of said tracks; and an abutment extending rea'rwardly from the inner terminus of each forward extension for limiting engagement with said closure means in said tracks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,762,675 9/1956 Janows 312295 X 2,866,676 12/1958 Gocbel 3l2257 3,236,405 2/1966 Reil 312-257 X 3,307,894 3/1967 Collier 312257 3,323,851 6/1967 Dubofl 312-255 JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 312--295 

